Machine for attaching laundry tags



G. H. WILLIAMS.

MACHINE FOR ATTACHING LAUNDRY TAGS]. APPLICATION FILED APR. 1920.

l ,42 6, 3 3 O, Patented Aug. 15, 1922'.

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immummr I- 47 4 .4 ill! 49 65" g 67 /5- as I 236 to ireadie or Geamge H. VVi/ZZ/ZDME/S (a. H. WILLIAMS. MACHINE FOR ATTACHING LAUNDRY TAGS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 17, I920. 1 426 330 v Patented Aug. 15, 1922..

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UNETE stares r TcNnoFr-Ic GEoneE-H. WILLIAMS, or BOSTON, rrnssaonusnmrs, ,nss enoamo ,BOS"I.;N .CLIIP, ND

' .IAG COMPANY, O BOSTON, messecngvsrrr A QQRB RATIQN 1 F MAssMHUsErTs- ACHIN non" AITACHiNG LAUNDRY TAGS.

Specification. of Letters Patent. PfltQHlIGd .Allg- Application filed AprillY, 1920. Serial No. 374,566.

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGEH. WILLIAMS, a citizen of'the United States, and a resident of :Boston, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement .in Machines for Attaching Laundry Tags, of which the following description in :connection with the accompanying draw- .ings, is a specificatiom (like characters on the drawings representing like parts. 1

This invention relates to a machine adaptco to clinch markers, tags orsimilar articles upon objects and .in particular to attach laundry tags to: articles of clothing. The particular form of machine here shownas an example of the invention is adapted to be used for securing the type of tag shown'in my Patent 1,292,198, dated January'21', 1919,

the tag shown in that patent being in the form of acloth covered channel, the flanges of which are clinched down ,over the'edge of the article of clothing to be marked.

My invention will best beunderstood by reference to the following description-of the specific embodiment thereof which I have shownby wayof example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine i Fig. 2 is a front elevation;

:Fig. 3 is a side elevation; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on an en larged scale and is on the'line A '4l.of Fig. 5

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the lines 55.of Figs. 41 and 6; J

'Fig. 6 is a vertical section on theline 66 of Fig. 5,"but with-certain parts inclevation;

Fig. 7 vis a'section'on the, line 7 7 of Fig. 5;

-Fig. 8 is a section on .the line 8:..8 of

\ Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 1s a fragmentary view of an article .of clothing with a tag attached'thereto; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one ofthe tags on a large scale. As has been statedthe particular form of machine shown in the accompanying drawings is adapted to apply the form of tag 11 shown in Fig. 10 and consisting of a channel shaped plate of flexible metal provided with a cloth covering .on which a notation si de walls guides.

edto be attached to an articleof clothing 1-3 (see. Fig. ;9.) by having the flanges of the channel placed over =the.edge of the article and-bent down in clinching relation thereon.

may .be' written in ink. This tag 11 is adapt- The machine herein shown embodies a suitable casing 15 (Figs. '1, 2 and 3) which may be provided along the front with a projecting-rib 17 cut away at 19 (*Figs. 2,3 and 6) to provide an openingunobstructed' from three. sides into'w-hich the edge ofan' article The portion of anviland slida'bly mounted in the portion below-(see Fig. :6) is' the clinching plunger 21 normally pressed .down to the position shown bythe spring 23. "A lever 25 is pivoted on the shaft 27 extending transversely of the casing and an end projectsrearwardly aofthecasing and maybe connected to a suitable handle or :treadle not shown, by which the lever may berocked against the forceof spring 29 and brought into contact with-the Slower end of clinching plunger "21 to force the same upwardly against the force 'of spring 23 andtowards the anvil; I A suitable stop 30 (Fig. 5) limits the return movement :oflthe lever under the action-of the spring 29. It will be understood that if one ofthe of clothing may be introduced to have the channel clinched thereon.

the rib above this opening forms aclinching tags 11 is in position with its @flanges ='be-' v and its flanges .directed outwardly or towards .the'left in :the figure so that they may as shown at 30 in Fig. 6. There is thus provided at the front and both sides-of the plunger guide surfaces which cooperate to position thetag, the latter entering :the depressed portion froni the rear and coming .to rest directly over the'plunger,-the front wall of the depression providing .In the present embodiment of the inventionthe tags .are {fed tovthe machine through a a. stop and the tween the top of the plunger and the anvil T way.

a suitable race-way 31 shown at the rightin Fig. 6 i'ormlng a magazine for a supply 01 tags. Herein the tags are adapted to be picked from the boxes in which they are packed by means of a: comb 33, which descriptive word in connection with the illustration in Fig. 6 will sufiiciently indicate its con- ,the race-way 31 (see Fig, 7), receives the back of the comb which can gravitate downwardly therein, belng temporarllysupported by the ends of the channels which pro e'ct at either side thereof and make contact, in the machine shown, with an lnward extension'37 of the lower portion of guide 35, which extension forms abottom for the race The end of the race-way is spaced from this supportingextension 37, as is best shown in Fig. 3, to provide a space for the operation of an element 55 hereafter to be described. As the channels are removed one by one from the comb it drops downwardly and presents a new channel at the lower end of the race-way 31. This method of supplying the channels to the machine not only I facilitates their removal in proper order from the box in which they are packed but assures that they are always delivered to the machine in the same relative position, in the present instance with their flanges pointing outwardly away from the center of the machine.

,As indicated by Fig. 6, the bottom 37 of the race-way 311na-y be substantially at the level of the bottom of the recess 19 wherein the channels are clinched and suitable means are provided for removing the channels from the comb and delivering them to the clinching point and in the present instance it is necessary to turn thesechannels end for end so that the flanges will point outwardly to the left as they are delivered to the clinching point so that an article of clothing may be inserted in the recess 19 between the flanges or the channel which may then be I clinched thereon;

The transfer means here illustrated embodies a suitable rotatable turret suspended by pivot pin 39 from the cover plate 41 of the casing and the turret here shown embod- 'ies a plate 43 from which depend pillars 45 carrying an opposed annular plate 47 mounted as illustrated with provision for move ment relatively to the plate 43. In the transfer the channels are received between the plates 43 and 47 and provision is made for suitable radial pockets to position the channels and these may be provided for by forming the plate 47 asherein with alternate raised and depressed portions, the raised portions defining betweenthem pockets to receive the channels. Also carried by the pillars 45 and located beneath plate 47 is a similar annulus 49 having alternately raised and depressed portions as best seen in Figs, 5 and 6. The pillars 45 engage the relatively depressed portions and the raised portions make contact with the depressed portions of the plate 47 and act as springs to press it towards plate 43. It will be understood that it a channelis presented base foremost radially to one of "these pockets it will wedge outwardly the plate 47 against the force of the spring and will be resiliently held in the turret. The corrugated form of plate 47 provides a local flexibility permitting this actionwithout a loosening of the grip on channels in other pockets.

Herein, as shown in Fig. 4, four such pockets are provided and the turret is rotated intermittently, as, i' orexample, by the means later to be described. Refering to Fig.4, in the position of rest of the turret a tag is fed in to what is in that figure the upper pocket, then rotates to the left hand position and. after another rotation is brought to the lower position in alignment with the recess 19 and is fed out from the turret into position over the plunger 21 to 100 be clinched thereby. v

I will next describe the means herein illustrated for feeding thetags from the magazinc or race-way" to the turret and from the turret to the clinching point. Because of 105 certain details of mechanical construction in the example shown it will be most convenient first to describe the means for deliver-' ing the from the point.

Referring to 4 in the present embodiment of the invention the lever 25 carries the upwardly projecting arm 51 adapted to project up through the center of the annular plate 47 which forms the bottom of the turret and provided with hooked end or bill 53 adapted to wort: between the annular plates and 43 and in one extreme of position to project into the recess 19 to the position shown. in Figs. 4 and 6. Imagining the arm 51 to be swung c ockwise from the position shownin Fig. 6, it will then beseen that the end of hook 53is retracted inwardly within the paths of the pillars'45 and of the turret to the clinching channels received in the pockets or": the turret and the turret may then rotate freely. As the turret comes to rest the arm 51 is swung counterclockwise towards the po on shown in Fig. 6 and, passing between two of the pillars as illustrated in Fig. 4, engages the back '01? the channel Occupy Whit-111mg.

tween the anvil and the plunger 21. In this movement it will shove the "tag into position to be clinched over the-"edge of any article which may thereafter be inserted'in-the recess 19.

The means here shown "for feeding the tags from-the raceway to the turret takes the form' of an oscillating hook-like member55 having a. pair of tines, as'best shown in Fig. 4, to permit it to swing rearwardly past the guide 35 which'is received between the tines. The bill portion of this hook'operatessubstantia-lly at the bottom of therace-way33 p p and between these ears is pivoteda pawl 1 and the hook 55 is here shown as carried" on an arm 57 pivoted at'59 and which maybe operated by alink 61 connecting the arms 51 and 57. The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 6, the" lowermost channel in the race-way rests with its ends on-the two tines of the hook 55. The hook now swings clockwiseuntil' its point clears the flanges of the channel and the latter is permitted to drop until 'its'xsides ,make contactwith thebottom 37 for the raceway. The tines then advance on either side of the comb towards the leftin' Fig. 6 and enter between the flanges of thecha-nnel, strippingit oil the tooth of the comb and,*fi nally advancing to the'full line position of the figure, pressing it into that pocket of the'turret which is presented to the race-way this being the up permost pocket viewing Fig. 1. The plate 17 yields against the action of the spring 49 during this inserting action and the tag isfirmly clipped in position in the turret.

It may be convenient at the present time to recapitulate briefly the cycle of motionof the'pa-rts; All 'theparts are actuamd from the lever 25 shown in Fig; 4. Onthe down stroke of this lever the hooks 53 and 55 are drawn to the right in Fig. 6 out of the way of the turret, theplunger 21 is actuated to clinch a channel and the: turret is rotated, herein for-a quarter of a revolution. On the return. stroke or up stroke of thelever the turret is stationary, the hook 55 feeds a channel from the race-way to the turret and the'hook 53 feeds a channel from the opposite pocket oftheturret into position over the clinchingplunger 21. I

I shall next describe tlieparticular mecha nism herein shown by way of example for rotating the transfer turret and in doing so shallrefer particularlyto Figs. 7,8 and 6.

Mounted along one side of the casing is a rock shaft 63 in the form. o-fa sleeve ourg nalled on pin 65 which shattm'aybe pro vided with teeth 67 (see-Fig.8) with which areadapted to cooperate a. tappet 69 which" herein projects "from the side of connecting link 61'. Referring to'Fig. 8 on the-down tooth and rocks shaft 63 towards the rear of the casing; On the return stroke it engages ther'left handtootlr and returns the'shaft to initial position.

A suitable'ratchet mechanism is utilized for intermittently driving the turret from? the rock shaft 63; As bestshowninFigfi' the turret may beprovided with suitable trundles projecting from -'the uppenside' thereof and forming a pin'gearand a.,sl1itable intermittent driver maybe utili'zed to drive the pin gear from the rock shaft 63. I have hereinfshown'a-pair of -segmen--- tal'ears 73 formed-integralwith the shaft 68' and projectinginWardIyoVer the-turret '7 5 adapted to engage the trundles 71L y In Fig. 7 the parts are' shown in the irposition of *rest with the flever25at' the v end, of its return stroke as in 6.1: the down stroke tappet 69caus'es tli e'ishaft' I 63* to rotate clockwise, viewing Fig; 7313,1161

pawl 75 engaging"tlie u'pperfright hand As the trundle, Which in Fig. 7 is-in the lowerright hand 'positiom'approaches thehorizontal itis engaged by the seini circular recesses 79 in the segments 73 and as the pawl 75 becomes ineffective to drivethe turret these recesses'take'up; the work-still further to advance the turret and --as'"-' the'y move out of oooperationwith the trundle the turret has completed aquarterlof revolution, the retaining dog 77 snaps in behind the first trundle and the parts are in position to permit the rock shaft to be swung backwardly counterclockwise in Fig.

' 7, to'the'positionxshown in that=figure,-this movement being an idle movementwith'ou't rota-tion of the turret.

I have described in detail themechanical construction of the machine shown as an example of my inventionin theacompany ing drawings not'because, allfthe details I 115 that the illustrative embodiment might be"- of" construction are essential but in order readily understood and the fundamental p comprehended.

principles exemplified. thereby be easily These principles wmcn- I I p Patent I shall "express in the following claims.

Claims: '1. A machine of the class described comprising a; clinching mechanism embodying an anvil and an opposed pl.u'nger,a' magazine, a turret interposed between saidclinching mechanism and magazine; a lever for operating the plunger and arms connected there'wi-tlr for "delivering tags from the magazine to the turret and from the turret to the anvil.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a clinching mechanism embodying an anvil and an opposed plunger, a magazine, a turret interposed between said. clinching mechanism and magazine and an oscillating linkage for operating the plunger and including an arm for delivering tags from the magazine to the turret and from the turret to the anvil and also embodying a tappet to impart intermittent rotary movement to the turret. v

3. A machine for applying channels com prising a clinching mechanism, a comb having teeth for supporting the channels and means including mechanism for reversing the position of the channels for delivering them from said comb to the clinching mechanism.

4i. A machine of the class described com prising a casing having a transverse opening permitting the introduction of work, a clinching plunger intersecting the opening, a turret suspended from the top of the casing for delivering tags to said opening and a plunger-operatin lever received in the casing beneath said turret.

5. A machine of the class described comprising a casing having a transverse opening permitting the introduction of work, a clinching plunger intersecting the opening a turret suspended from the top of the casing for delivering tags to said opening, a plunger-operating lever received in the ca ing beneath said turret, means for intermittently rotating the turret including a laterally disposed swinging member and means for transmitting movement from said lever to said member.

6; A machine of the class described comprising a casing having a transverse opening permitting the introduction of work, a

clinching plunger intersecting the openin a turret suspended from the top of the casing for delivering tags to said opening, a pin gear on the turret, a laterally disposed rock shaft having a projecting arm having provision forengaging and driving said gear in one direction, a plunger-operating lever received in the casing beneath the turret and means for transmitting movement from said lever to said member.

7. A machine for applying channels comprising a clinching mechanism, a supply device comprising a comb having teeth over which the channels fit, a device having tines for engaging a channel and stripping it from the teeth and transfer means for receiving the channel and delivering it to the clinching mechanism.

8. A machine for applying channels comprising a clinching mechanism, a supply device comprising a comb having teeth over which the channels fit, a device having tines for engaging a channel and stripping it from the teeth and transfer means for .receiving the channel and dellvering it to the clinching mechanism having provision for I annular plate.

10. In a machine for applying channels the channel transfer means comprising a turret which embodies a plate, an opposed annular plate and pillars spacing said plates to receive the channels therebetween and means for delivering channels to and from said turret comprising swinging arms having ends working between said plates, one of said arms projecting through the annular plate.

11. In a machine of the class described the combination with clinching means and supply means, of the transfer turret including a plate and an opposed plate yieldably mounted in spaced relation thereto.

12. In amachine of the class described the combination with clinching means and supply means, of the transfer turret including a plate and an opposed plate having alternatsegmental raised and depressed portions providing pockets, said opposed plate being yieldably mounted in spaced relation to the first.

13. in a machine of the class'described the combination with clinching means and supply means, of a transfer turret including a plate, pillars carried thereby, an opposed plate having provision providing in cooperation with said first plate spaced radial pockets and movably carried on the pillars, and an annulus carried by said pillars having spring portions opposite said pockets to press said second plate toward the first.

14:. In a machine of the class described the combination with clinching means and supply means, of a transfer turnet including a plate, pillars carried thereby, an opposed plate having alternating segmental raised and depressed portions providing pockets and movably carried on the pillars, and an annulus carried by said pillars having spring portions opposite .said pockets to press said second plate toward the first.

15. A machine of the class described comprising a clinching mechanism, a transfer device at one side thereof,,a feeding means comprising a strip formed to support channels on its edge, means for supporting the strip adjacent the transfer device, a hooked arm having tines operating on opposite sides of the strip to deliver channels to the i fer means including a turret trundles there-' on, a rock shaft disposed laterally of said turret, a sector thereon having a notch to receive the trundles and a pawl carried by the sector in advance of the notch.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my 'nameto this specification I GEORGE H. WILLIAMS. i 

